We took massive new adventures across Hawaii and the fantasy lands of Thedas; we travelled to a small town, finally ventured out of Midgar, and took a new step forward in a saga. From stories small to more extensive, characters larger than life, to being a joke in their own story, there were plenty of grand narratives in games to explore in 2024.

Here are our picks for the Best Video Game Narratives in 2024.

5.) Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Ten years after the last Dragon Age game was released, we return to Thedas to deal with Solas and his attempt to destroy the Veil. While the main storyline was enjoyable, it is the sidequest in which you get to know your various companions that stands out the most and restores our faith in Bioware after a few big missteps.

— Ashley Hobley

4.) Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio take their biggest swing yet, telling a dual-protagonist transcontinental epic that continues to build up new Ichiban Kasuga as a character fans can get behind while also giving Kazuma Kiryu a fitting ending (if they want to). Filled with twists, turns and tear-jerking moments, Infinite Wealth will have you up to all hours to see what’s happening next in the main storyline, or to see what crazy side quest the devs have concocted this time.

— Ashley Hobley

3.) Thank Goodness You’re Here

A hilariously quirky narrative about a small balding salesman trying to help a town while waiting for a meeting with the mayor. The residents of the town are eccentric, as are their requests. The game is full of absurd humour and was a bunch of fun to play.

— Jacob Hegarty

2.) Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

If you look at Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 and want it to continue the first game’s narrative, it’s disappointing. Instead, it best stands alone, and after the first hour, it could be more or less played as a standalone game. Senua’s journey here isn’t as solitary as the first game, and her companions and relationships with those in this game are much more critical. Her past, too, is not that of the first game; instead, her own family and the ties of her own people are essential parts of what makes her the heroine that she becomes. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is also a rare game where two playthroughs are nearly necessary to fully grasp every idea within the game’s narrative, characters and themes.

— Dylan Blight

1.) Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth

This is a continuation of the story from the Final Fantasy VII Remake that has managed to balance the old known tales with the new direction of the game. This game redefines the story from the original FFVII while still honouring the legacy. With deeper storylines, themes, and intricate relationships between these beloved characters. The game manages to challenge the idea of fate and what is meant to happen versus whether we can decide our fate. Character development is a massive part of this game with each character gaining their chance to develop further throughout. Reinventing the story, making this classic into a masterpiece.

— Jacob Hegarty

Check out the rest of our Best of 2024 coverage over here now!